Brian Lawrence was shocked to see the man who has won competition's best and fairest award a record seven times was stepping away from the game on Saturday.

"Right from his junior days he's been a player who works very hard on his game seeking perfection," Lawrence said.

"He's worked harder than most blokes around here do at their cricket and he's got the rewards for it.

"Not only is he a very gifted player but he's an elite player and the type we certainly need in Wagga Cricket.

"We haven't had any elite players in this competition since Billy McCaig and Derek Rogers - a player who is really outstanding in ability.

"He's the type of player who lifts his teammates, lifts the opposition too as they strive to get his wicket and keep him out when he's bowling.

"He tends to lift the standard of play in a match by having a player like that to perform against.

"We've got a few very promising players coming up in Wagga Cricket but Jon was on a pedestal on his own and daylight comes second to him at this stage.

"It will be interesting to see who steps up to become the player in town."

Lawrence hopes he reconsiders his decision.

However Nicoll was adamant the timing is right.

"I had a good message from a former teammate saying everyone has a use by date and everyone knows when their use by date is and you either accept your use by date or try to extend it," Nicoll said.

"The guys who usually try to extend it fail badly and when you are weighing up these decisions if you are weighing them up you've sort of made it as well.

"I can only see positives in it."

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